Pakistan increases defence outlay by 7.6 pc

Islamabad, Jun 12: Pakistan's Defence Budget has been increased by 7.6 per cent, from Rs 275 billion in 2007-08 to Rs 296 billion for the 2008-09 fiscal. According to the country's federal budget proposals, of the total Rs 296 billion, Rs 294.9 billion have been allocated to military defence and Rs 1.17 billion to defence administration.

Of the military defence allocation, Rs 99 billion will be spent on employees' related expenses, reported the Daily Times. According to the paper, the operating expenses will be Rs 82.84 billion and the cost of physical assets Rs 87.63 billion. The Army will spend Rs 25.73 billion on civil works, it added.